New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-30
ALMOST SUNK IN THE EAST RIVER.
TIE CITY OF RICHMOND STRUCK ROCK OR
wRECK-A FIREMAN BADLY BURNED.

wRECK-A FIREMAN BADLY BURNED
The steamer City of Richmond of the Hartford
line lying disabled oft Pottery Beach, Green
point At o'clock yesterday afternoon the vessel
left Pier No. "a. East River carrying four passen-
aud a cargo of miscellaneous freight bound
for Saybrook Conn. where she connects with the
Connecticut Valley Railroad. A quarter of an
hour later when ihe vessel was running smoothly
along opposite Ninti-st., New York, she suddenly
struck something on her port side, aft, but kept
ahoat. and at first seemed to have suffered no
damage.
Captain H. Z. May continued his course, but in
few moments it was noticed that the steamer had
sprung a leak and was filing. The captain ordered
her hea led To the nearest land, whlcn happened 10
be Pottery Beach and there she run aground.
Several tugs, among them the SIvius aud Green
point, went to the assistance of the wrecked
steamer. and the former took of the passengers,
among when was Mrs Seldoa Spencer, tho wife OF
the baggacemastcr of the steamer, and their son,
six years old. These, together with two men.
whose names could no, he learned, were brought
to this city by the tug and they proceeded TO their
destination by train.
CAUGHT BY BACK DRAFT
In the meantime the boat was rapidly filling
and when the water reached the fires, there was
strong back draft which set fire 10 the feting of
van and Frcnchman named George both living
in South-st. Sullivans clothing was enyelopcd in
flames when Waterman Rowey. of the steamer,
rccognized the situation. and by hugGiug the un-
fortuna, G fireman. put ont the fire cncircllng HIM.
Sullivan was badly burned. however his entire lack
beipg badly biIstercd. He was AZ once taken To
Bellevue Hospital on the tuy Grccnpoint. George
the French fireman. escaped with bad bstcrng
of his hands and left the vessel to take car HIM
self.
As soon as the vessel was discovered to ba taking
water the frei ght was removed from the ait cabin
and as soon as she had been run aground Purser
Strong left her t. mako arrangements inF
having her cargo taken of. lie went 10 the COM
pany's Office az Peck slip and with Agent Smith
returned to the vessel on tug. Last evening. when
a TRIBUNE reporter reached Pottery Beach a per
feet hurricane was blowing toward shore. The
reporter boarded the wreck BY means of a row
beat and there found the dcrrIcNs Sherwood aud
Will and the lighter Alfred. of the Chapman
Wreckmg Company, engaged IN taking oil the
freight. The hold of the vessel wa' filled with
water aud the stern several inches submerged.
Two pumps were being op rated to keep the steam
cr a1oat during flood de.
THE CAPTAINS EXPLANATIONS.
Captain May. tai ank New-Eng andcf. ap-
peared very mach surprised az thr acc dent winch
had beiallcn him. lie SAID:
We struck something the usual channel but whether
II was a wreck or 4 rs,k cannot tell At anr rate 10
was not marked the cha. oar crew oforY hVr heh
and our four passengers remained remarkably cool dut
lng The whole aii4ir and we had no trouble
Mate Thomas noian when seen 'dcp"nd'nly
rcfutcd the captains statement. Timothy Sulii>an
the fireman WAS seen in division ,. ward H. i''ll'
we Hospital last evening. lie = an IiI~rH"l.
6ftyflur yeas old, wIdower. and lives ~ Ne. III
South-.t HIS face was badly bliStcrci ln addl non
t. the terrible buns on his hach. and he hcgScl
for a secu-polon during the reporters visit 'iIs
condition is considered serious. lic gave nag
mentary account of the accident winch was Almost
unntelhgbic.
The CITY Of Richmond is a .ldc-whce steamer,
winch was origIna ly built for the Pbi'iripha
and Richmond trade. according 10 Captain N"t'
some seven years a 70 Later she was run between
New- York sandy Hook aud Long Ir men hF ihr
New -Jcr ev Southern road. only laf"k She ms
hccu hUIIt No with statc-T'oui-. ana Trans "IIi''
mo regular passenger SIC iInrr "r the Ilalll''"
line The changes made her con-inrrabE hraN ''''
and n ms been hintcd thar n1t euii "ni ali i''
was made for hrr increased draft. tnouch Captain
Nav refused last night e. entertain the .ut ii"h